These days there is a definite trend in the paintball world. Everyone
is looking to cut costs. People are going back out to the woods, many
are getting in touch with the good ol' days with their buddies, playing
small renegade games and remembering just how much fun it can be.
They're remembering the days that they could go out with a group of
friends, a tiny bit of CO2, and a pod of paint and play to their
heart's content. Along with that comes the nostalgia for the guns they
once shot. For many players, that means remembering the joys of the
pump.
It's not just the old school players that are re-discovering the fun.
Many new players are being introduced and falling in love with pump
paintball as well. It's not hard to see why. It opens up a whole new
world of play and makes it a whole new game. If you're lucky enough to
own some land, or have access to a place to play, it's an even more
attractive prospect. Imagine being able to play a whole day for the
price you'd normally pay just for admission. Even if you do go to a
field, when you take a pump, you can still get by for a fraction of the
cost. In economic times like this, it's not just a great way to
experience a different style of play, it just makes sense.
But it's not just about cost. It's about FUN. Pump games don't rely on
pinning down the opposition until someone can move into position for a
shot, or until they pop out into your stream. It's all about movement.
You'll get to see more of the field in one pump game than you might
normally see in a month of play. The freedom it brings is amazing. You
can run further, faster, and longer. I normally carry an extremely
light tournament marker, but with my pump, it's still night and day. A
stock class pump and a leg harness full of tubes feels like nothing
compared to my normal load. If you're playing woodsball, it's a huge
bonus. You'll really get to enjoy the field, and just maybe discover
some new spots.
Shootouts with pumps are another fun aspect. No more endless ropes
across the field. With pumps, people are running back and forth from
cover to cover, snap shooting like crazy. You get to really experience
the field like never before. There's more time to watch, more time to
move, and more time to just enjoy the game. Unbelievably refreshing, in
my opinion.
One of the biggest advantages to playing pump is how much it can
improve your game. No matter how good you are, it never hurts to work
on your fundamentals, and pump does just that. It's all about
fundamentals. Accuracy, movement, communication, and effective use of
cover are vital. There's no relying on firepower to get the job done.
At the end of the day, you'll walk away learning something you can do
to improve your game no matter what style of paintball you normally
play.
So, if you're looking for a cheaper way to play, a different twist to
the game, or a chance to work on your basic paintball skills, then pump
paintball might be right for you. Feel free to drop into the various
forums all over the internet and start asking questions to the pumpers.
As a whole, they're the most helpful, nicest, and most honorable
players I've encountered in my years of paintball. Even if you don't
get addicted to playing pump, the players and their laid back attitudes
(and crazy modification projects) will probably keep you coming back to
their forums anyway.
If you feel like looking further into pump play I recommend these
forums:
www.mcarterbrown.com - Carter Brown's forums. Very well moderated, very
informative, typically mature posters
www.pbnation.com - the place for all things paintball - beware the
annoying kiddies running rampant everywhere
www.thephog.com - Phantom owners group (maybe I'm a little biased since
I own one)
If you live in the Pacific NW, or feel like making a journey for a game, OK Company will be holding their first scenario of 2010 on Jan. 10, called Outlaws and Lawdogs. It'll be a Wild West theme, so to keep the spirit it's a pistol and pump game. They've come up with some solutions for those that only have electros, and it's looking to be one great day of paintball, and one unbelievable day of pump play.